A newlywed died after being hit by a lightning bolt on her honeymoon in Mexico.

Primary school teacher, Melissa Lerner, 29, was walking on a beach near resort of Cancun with her husband Damon when she was hit. Mr Lerner, also 29, an accountant of Edgware, London, was knocked unconscious and awoke to find strangers battling in vain to revive his bride.

Blast carnage

AT LEAST 21 people were killed when a rocket exploded on its launch pad while undergoing final pre-launch tests in Brazil. As many as 20 others were injured. The blast yesterday at the remote base in north-eastern Brazil killed mostly civilian technicians and destroyed two research satellites, defence minister Jose Veigas Filho said. Some of the bodies were burned beyond recognition.

"The launching pad collapsed and the technicians were working there, so everything indicates they died," Veigas said. "There is no hope that there were survivors."

Back in court

A HEADMISTRESS convicted of stealing &#xA3;500,000 from school funds to pay for her champagne lifestyle was due in court today after being taking to hospital with chest pains yesterday. Former nun, Colleen McCabe, 50,was due to be sentenced at London's Southwark Crown Court. McCabe is appearing before Greenwich magistrates for allegedly breaching bail conditions. She is expected to be remanded in custody until a new sentencing hearing at the crown court next week.

Huge wages

SENIOR hospital managers are set to receive bonuses taking their pay near &#xA3;200,000 a year, it emerged today. New foundation hospitals will be able to offer top managers an extra 30pc, it is claimed.

Farewell 192

THE 192 number for directory inquiries ends tonight. In its place are a choice of at least 15 alternative six-digit numbers starting 118.

Hunt for doc

A NEW search began today for a backpacker missing on a Scottish island for more than a week. Dr Timothy Derrick, 41, from London, has not been seen since he left his backpackers' hostel at Sligachan on the Isle of Skye last Thursday.

Dead noisy!

SALES reps from four undertakers are protesting outside a Madrid-hospital after being ejected because of loud arguments while competing for customers.